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The GSI is currently recruiting for a summer internship position on the role of subsidies to fossil fuels and their impact on electricity and transport systems, with a focus on developing countries. For more information and details on how to submit an application, read full posting.

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) of the UK House of Commons is investigating the extent of energy subsidies in the UK for nuclear, fossil fuel and renewable energy, and what the Government should be doing to identify and eliminate those subsidies which are—using the UN’s terminology—“harmful”. Peter Wooders, Programme Leader of the Global Subsidies Initiative, was recently interviewed as one of three expert witnesses.

GENEVA—April 21, 2010—The International Institute for Sustainable Development's Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) has issued a five-part series of reports into how nations might remove fossil-fuel subsidies, on the eve of a meeting of G-20 finance ministers in Washington this week.

In this five minute interview, he discusses the global price tag on fossil-fuel subsidies, how this money could be better spent and the barriers these subsidies pose to investment in renewable energy technologies. He also outlines the role to be played by the G-20 and how they can be pressured to deliver on their promise for fossil-fuel subsidy reform, as called upon by the Green Economy Coalition.

6 November 2009 – IISD-Europe Executive Director Mark Halle has signed a letter from the Green Economy Coalition to the G-20 Finance Ministers to end perverse fossil-fuel subsidies. IISD is a founding member of the coalition, which focuses on the policy changes needed to transform the global economy into one that is clean, green and equitable.